How the Scots-Irish Came to America (And What They Brought With Them)

In the summer of 1718, five ships of Scots-Irish immigrants from Ulster arrived in Boston to an uncertain welcome. The Puritan leaders sympathized with their fellow Protestants who also endured Anglican intolerance. But the newcomers came from an impoverished land, and many Puritans questioned whether they could support themselves.

But what shall be done for the great number of people that are transporting themselves thither from ye North of Ireland?

Had he known that they brought seed potatoes for the first potato patch in America, he might have welcomed them joyfully.

Worse Than Peasants in Germany

The Irish went through hard times during the winter of 1717-18. A harsh winter followed bad harvests, and smallpox and fever raged.

Jonathan Swift wrote that travelers to Ireland 'will hardly think himself in a land where law, religion, or common humanity is professed.' He blamed rapacious landlords, 'who by screwing or racking their tenants had reduced the people to a worse condition than the peasants in Germany and Poland.'

In the spring of 1718 the Rev. William Boyd was sent from Ulster to Massachusetts to ask for land for Scots-Irish families. He brought a petition signed by the heads of 319 families, all but four of whom could sign their names. Gov. Samuel Shute liked the idea. He envisioned Scots-Irish pioneers settling on the frontiers of Maine and New Hampshire, buffering the colony from French and Indians.

Coming to Boston

Five or six ships carrying Scots-Irish families arrived in Boston during the summer of 1718. Some of them came as congregations led by clergymen. One congregation had the Rev. James McGregor as their leader. Before leaving Ireland, he delivered a farewell sermon about their persecution.

They were fleeing Ireland, he said, "to avoid oppression and to have an opportunity of worshipping God according to the dictates of conscience and the rules of His Inspired Word."

Eleven of ye clock at night. Ships are coming in hourly, but not news; Irish families enough; above 200 souls are come in already, and many now hourly expected; so that I wish you were here; they are none to be sold, have all paid their passages sterling in Ireland.

The ship also brought young people without property who came as indentured servants.

Spuds

Two ships, the Robert and the William, brought Scots-Irish congregations to Boston Harbor on Aug. 4, 1718. Part of that group, led by McGregor, soon settled in Nutfield, N.H., which later became Londonderry. Some went north to Casco Bay, where they had a land grant. They would have starved during the winter, but the Massachusetts General Court granted them 100 bushels of cornmeal. They later reunited with the rest of the group in Nutfield.

(Nutfield celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2019. Learn more about it here.)

For years New Hampshire and Massachusetts disputed the Nutfield territory. What is not disputed is that McGregor planted the first potatoes in America. He brought seed potatoes from Ireland and planted them in Londonderry Common Ground (Derry today). They are acknowledged to be the first potatoes planted in the United States.

More Scots-Irish

The Ulster Scots-Irish stayed in Boston for a time, then moved to the frontier, voluntarily or not. In 1720, an ordinance passed in Boston ordering ‘certain families arriving from Ireland to move off.’ In 1723, Boston selectmen ordered immigrants from Ulster to register their presence.

Fifty families moved to Worcester, where they formed a Presbyterian church. Puritan resentment against them flared in 1738, when people burned down their church building.

Dear Terry,
I spent today reading the History of Palmer, not finished yet. I believe my ancestors might of come over on the last ship. There are James and Jannett Thompson, Samuel Thompson (their son), and Ruth Thompson (their daughter). There was also a Hugh Thompson thought to be a nephew who married Ruth.
I know they ended up in Holden Ma. And are buried there. I would love to find out what parish in Ireland they from. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Gail LaFortune

Dorothy Theriault

March 17, 2016 at 12:33 pm

My Scots-Irish ancestors came over on the Elizabeth in 1720 and settled in Brimfield, MA. They and other towns people erected the “First Church of Scotland”

My first ancestor in the new world was one of these Scots, a young man who was captured by Cromwell at the battle of Dunbar in 1650 and came over on the Unity in 1651. One hundred and fifty young Scots came over on that ship. They were indentured servants for seven years before being given their freedom. They were in fact sold to the colonists as slaves and the Unity was in fact a slave ship.

I believe I have purchased the second piece of property given by king George to Samuel Houston circa 1720 .in Nutfield now Derry NH
The first parcel was that of Cargill (Cargill Gris mill) abutting ours which water flows into Beaver Lake.The mill stone remains on site. An old document I found in the wall while restoring the old house said the Rev Mcgregor lived here .please contact me if you have any information or photos .the 300 year anniversary of the meeting house is coming and should be a great celebration for the nutfield towns .

My first ancestor in the new world was one of these Scots, a young man who was captured by Cromwell at the battle of Dunbar in 1650 and came over on the Unity in 1651. One hundred and fifty young Scots came over on that ship. They were indentured servants for seven years before being given their freedom. They were in fact sold to the colonists as slaves and the Unity was in fact a slave ship.